In one of their final acts before sending the state budget to the full Legislature, Republican members of the powerful Joint Finance Committee forced provisions into the budget that would sharply limit public records requests for lawmakers' communications with staff and for drafting records of legislation.

The proposals would hide from public view a slew of records created by the Walker administration and other state agencies.

This eyes-wide-open attempt to blind the public was, of course, never discussed in open session. And state Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette), co-chair of the powerful budget-writing committee, wouldn't say who inserted the changes into the bill.

Nygren assures us, though, that the changes will be good for the public.

Just who does he think he's kidding?

Secrecy may be good for powerful legislators such as Nygren or for his co-chair, state Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills). And secrecy may be just fine for legislators who don't want the public to know what they are doing or with whom they are working.

But secrecy is a plague on citizens. These proposals would set back by decades the cause of open government in Wisconsin. Any representative who votes to approve a budget containing such broad limits on the public's right to know is not fit to hold office.

Conservatives and liberals alike blasted the proposals.

"This is really self-serving," said Democratic state Sen. Jon Erpenbach of Middleton. "Somebody's being protected from something. Of course if this passes we're never going to know what it is."

Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel was equally as tough.

"Transparency is the cornerstone of democracy, and the provisions in the budget bill limiting access to public records move Wisconsin in the wrong direction," Schimel said in a statement.

Wisconsin voters should ask themselves: What's the motive? Why now? Why the secrecy? And just what are these legislators trying to hide?

The proposals would drop requirements for preserving any and all records and communications of legislative staff and the Legislature's nonpartisan budget office, audit bureau and legal advisers. It would give lawmakers the right to prevent their current and former staff from disclosing records involving their work.

The proposals would draw a dark veil over state government.

Records involving draft legislation are routinely examined by journalists and citizen groups to understand how and why laws are created. Earlier this year, Journal Sentinel reporters learned from the drafting file for the state budget that the Walker administration had insisted on changes to the decades-old mission statement of the University of Wisconsin System — the Wisconsin Idea. After the story was published, Gov. Scott Walker quickly backed off.

Scrutiny holds lawmakers accountable. But if these proposals are enacted, that kind of accountability will be nearly impossible.

"The taxpayers who are paying for all of this are being told, 'It's none of your damn business,'" Bill Lueders, president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, said. "Our state's tradition of open government is on the line."

The rank-and-file of the Legislature, regardless of party, should have the common sense to reject these provisions. Members should show better judgment than some in leadership have shown. But if the provisions remain, Walker should veto them. He should not accept such a brazen retreat from transparency as he embarks on a campaign to win the hearts and minds of a much larger public.

Public servants do the public's business. This is not some private company run by private managers. This is your government.